TED Talks

Psychologist Adam Grant breaks down the key indicators of languishing and presents how to escape that "meh" feeling and start finding your flow.

In a lively talk sparkling with actionable advice, Sheryl Lee Ralph shares how her struggles taught her what it takes to believe in herself.

Read Montague gives an overview of how functional MRI (fMRI) is helping us understand the complicated ways in which we interact with each other.

Who says change needs to be hard? Jim Hemerling outlines five imperatives to help adapt your business in today's constantly-evolving world.

Minda Dentler tells the story of how she conquered the legendary Ironman triathlon race in Kona, Hawaii, and what it inspired her to do next.

Christina Tosi leaves a resonant message about how breaking the rules and challenging your assumptions can make for a sweet life.

Stories are necessary, but they may not be as magical as they seem. Sisonke Msimang questions our emphasis on storytelling and spotlights the decline of facts.

What does it take to build a legacy? Hip-hop artist Cordae tells how he became a music star whose "Hi Level" mindset helps him achieve his dreams.

It may seem that big problems require big solutions, but ad man Rory Sutherland says many flashy, expensive fixes are just obscuring better, simpler answers.

Have you had your daily dose of fun? Catherine Price shares easy, evidence-backed ways to weave playfulness, flow and connection into your everyday life.

Should we work hard in order to be happy, or are we thinking about things backwards? Shawn Achor argues that happiness inspires us to be more productive.

Dean Furness shares how, after losing the use of his legs, he discovered a new mindset focused on redefining his "personal average" and getting better.

John Doerr shows us how we can get back on track with a specific goal-setting system that's been employed by many to set and execute on audacious goals.

Isaac Lidsky challenges us to let go of excuses, assumptions and fears, and accept the awesome responsibility of being the creators of our own reality.

Art historian Sarah Lewis asks us to consider the role of the almost-failure, the near win, in our pursuit of success and mastery in our own lives.

In this to-the-point talk, Molly Crockett explains the limits of interpreting neuroscientific data, and why we should all be aware of them.

Luvvie Ajayi Jones shares three questions to ask yourself if you're unsure of speaking up — and encourages all to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.

Using simple, delightful illustrations, designer Stefan Sagmeister shares his latest thinking on happiness — both the conscious and unconscious kind.

With highlights from her research, Sabine Doebel explores the factors that affect executive function — and how you can use it to achieve your goals.

These days, almost all of us feel pressed for time. Dorie Clark shares three hidden reasons people fall into an endless loop of feeling constantly busy.

In this funny talk, Drew Dudley calls on all of us to celebrate leadership as the everyday act of improving each other's lives.

Athletes train their bodies, but why don't they train their minds, too? Russell Wilson talks about the power of "neutral thinking."

Sleep scientist Matt Walker explains how researchers are exploring how to use sleep to decrease our chances of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Sleep scientist Matt Walker breaks down the difference between REM (Rapid-Eye Movement) and non-REM sleep and what occurs during each stage of sleep.

Sleep scientist Matt Walker explains why it's important for our brains to get a good night's sleep the night before a test like we were always told.

Matt Walker explains how our nightly slumber affects the emotional centers in our brains, and why we can think of sleep as first aid for our feelings.

If you think melatonin will improve your ability to sleep and stay asleep, you may have been misled. Matt Walker shares how this "hormone of darkness" works.

One of the best things that you can do to boost your immune system is head to bed, says sleep scientist Matt Walker. It can even make your flu shot more effective!

Afternoon naps are refreshing — but could they be messing up our sleep cycles? Sleep scientist Matt Walker reveals the pros and cons of napping.

Sleep scientist Matt Walker explains how getting more quality shut-eye can boost fertility and vitality — plus how sex can even improve your sleep.

When you fall asleep and start dreaming, you're actually doing very important work, according to sleep scientist Matt Walker.

Having trouble falling asleep — or staying asleep? Try sleep scientist Matt Walker's method on treating insomnia to help you get the sleep you need.

Did you know that not getting enough sleep can actually make you hungrier? Here's why understanding the relationship can help improve your overall health.

Why do some people struggle more than others to keep off the pounds? Emily Balcetis shows how when it comes to fitness, some people see the world differently.

Krishna Sudhir examines how the ancient tradition of yoga impacts the body and mind with its widely believed unique set of health advantages.

Behavioral and learning scientist Marily Oppezzo explains how walking could help you get the most out of your next brainstorm.

When an injury occurs, its severity doesn't necessarily correlate to the pain levels. So what's going on? Joshua W. Pate investigates the experience of pain.

Posture is the foundation for your every movement and can determine how well your body adapts to its stresses. Murat Dalkilinç gives the pros of good posture.

Nora McInerny shares her wisdom about life and death. Her candid approach to something that will affect us all is both liberating and gut-wrenching.

Ingrid Fetell Lee reveals the surprisingly tangible roots of joy and shows how we all can find — and create — more of it in the world around us.

Dan Harris shares his quest to improve his relationships with everyone (starting with himself) and explains the science behind loving-kindness meditation.

Guy Winch reveals how recovering from heartbreak starts with a determination to fight our instincts to idealize and search for answers that aren't there.

Eduardo Briceño reveals a simple way to think about getting better at the things you do, whether that's work, parenting or creative hobbies.

Sociologist Christine Carter shares a simple step to shift your mindset and keep you on track to achieving your grandest ambitions.

Carol Dweck discusses research on the “growth mindset” — the idea that we can grow our brain's capacity to learn and to solve problems.

Tinnitus has been bothering humanity since Ancient Babylon. Marc Fagelson travels into the auditory system to explore the loss of silence.

Countless people have tried to explain the experience of a panic attack. So what exactly is it, and can we prevent them? Cindy J. Aaronson investigates.

Can you cram for a test while you sleep? Our intrepid neuroscientists attempt to enhance memory by running experiments on subjects while they sleep.

When faced with a big challenge, where does confidence come from, and how can you get more of it? Here are three easy tips to boost your confidence.

Psychologist Fallon Goodman digs into the source of social anxiety, setting the record straight about this common condition with practical solutions.

Writer Bruce Feiler offers a powerful way to handle uncertain, painful and confusing times in life. Learn how to equip yourself with the essential tools.

Adam Grant studies "originals": thinkers who dream up new ideas and take action to put them into the world. Learn three unexpected habits of originals.

Bevy Smith shares hard-earned lessons about authenticity, confidence, mature success and why, if you put in the work, "life gets greater later."

Neuroscientist Beau Lotto shares the findings of his study with Cirque du Soleil on the emotion of awe and its psychological and behavioral benefits.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt explores how big tech companies impact our creativity — and shares a more powerful feeling than getting attention: paying attention.

Christina Costa goes beyond the "fight" narrative in a personal journey to highlight the brain benefits of an empowering alternative to fostering resilience.

Reflecting on moments that shaped his life, actor Ethan Hawke examines how courageous expression promotes healing and connection with one another.

Memories are often remembered in vivid detail, but are they all as real as we recall? Daniel L. Schacter explores the fallibility of our memory.

Our sense of ownership emerges at an early age. But why do we become so attached to things? Christian Jarrett details the psychology of ownership.

Elizabeth Hellmuth Margulis explains the basic principles of the "exposure effect," detailing how repetition invites us into music as active participants.

Contagious yawning has been attributed to both the physiological and psychological. Claudia Aguirre visits the many intriguing theories that might explain it.

Where did the left brain vs. right brain myth come about, and what does it get wrong? Elizabeth Waters looks into this long held misconception.

Michael Molina explains how neuroimaging and cognitive psychology have narrowed down the theories that could explain that feeling of déjà vu.

Ever wonder how we poop? Learn about the gut as Giulia Enders takes us inside the complex science behind it, including its connection to mental health.

The things we eat and drink can impact our health in big ways. So what are carbohydrates, exactly? And what do they do to our bodies? Richard J. Wood explains.

We can manipulate the balance of our microbes by paying attention to what we eat. Shilpa Ravella shares the best foods for a healthy gut.

Julia Dhar offers three techniques to reshape the way we talk to each other so we can start disagreeing productively and finding common ground.

Did you know you can fall in love with anyone just by asking them 36 questions? Mandy Len Catron tried this experiment and it worked. But is that real love?

Organizational psychologist Adam Grant breaks down givers, takers and matchers and offers simple strategies to promote a culture of generosity.

MIT research scientist Erez Yoeli shares a simple checklist for harnessing the power of reputations to motivate people to act in the interest of others.

Psychology researcher Abigail Marsh studies the motivations of people who do extremely altruistic acts. Are their brains just different?

Psychiatrist George Blair-West shares three keys to preventing divorce — and spotting potential problems while you're still dating.

Olivia Affuso shows how you can kickstart a healthy life by tapping into the collective power of a community that supports and motivates your health goals.

Over the course of history, philosophers have put forward some intriguing theories. Skye C. Cleary outlines five of these perspectives on why we love.

Katherine Hampsten describes why miscommunication occurs so frequently, and how we can minimize frustration while expressing ourselves better.

Jeffrey Siegel illustrates how a good mix of sleep, nutrition and exercise keep your muscles as big and strong as possible.

Mia Nacamulli details the three types of bilingual brains and shows how knowing more than one language keeps your brain healthy, complex and actively engaged.

What are our screens and devices doing to us? Psychologist Adam Alter studies how much time screens steal from us and how they're getting away with it.

Anita Collins explains the fireworks that go off in musicians' brains when they play and examines the long-term positive effects of this mental workout.

When your job hinges on how well you talk to people, you learn about conversations. Celeste Headlee shares 10 rules for having better conversations.

Neuroscientist Daniel Levitin thinks there's a way to avoid making mistakes in stressful situations, when your thinking becomes clouded — the pre-mortem.

In this talk, meant for all ages, author Isabel Allende talks about her fears as she gets older and shares how she plans to keep on living passionately.

As Lisa Bu adjusted to life in the U.S., she turned to books to expand her mind and create a new path for herself. She shares her approach to reading.

Neuroscientist Neil Burgess studies the neural mechanisms that map the space around us, and how they link to memory and imagination.

Ron Gutman reviews a raft of studies about smiling with some surprising results. Prepare to flex your facial muscles as you learn about this behavior.

Get inspired to go to the gym as Wendy Suzuki discusses the science of how working out boosts your mood and memory — and protects your brain against Alzheimer's.

Sara C. Mednick details the cognitive benefits of napping, and explores the optimal length and time of day for a quick snooze.

Robert A. Belle shares how taking stock of your transaction history can unlock surprisingly valuable insights about what drives you to spend (and save).

Novelist Karen Thompson Walker shows how fear propels imagination, as it forces us to imagine the possible futures and how to cope with them.

Karen D. Davis walks you through your brain on pain, illuminating why the "pain experience" differs from person to person.

You spend weeks studying for a test, but when it's time to take it, your mind goes blank. Elizabeth Cox details the relationship between stress and memory.

The one thing we all have in common is that we want to be happy, says Brother David Steindl-Rast. And happiness, he suggests, is born from gratitude.

Is your workplace divided between the "creatives" versus the practical people? David Kelley suggests creativity is not the domain of only a chosen few.